Judge: Ruling was ‘crystal clear’ in former Sturgeon police chief case

A Boone County judge did not make a ruling in the case of the former Sturgeon police chief Monday, stating the February judgment was “crystal clear.”

Judge Jeff Harris ordered the city of Sturgeon to reinstate its former police chief, Greg Halderman, with back pay after it was decided the city did not follow the proper procedure to remove Halderman from the position in 2017.

However, after Harris issued the ruling, the City of Sturgeon removed Halderman from the position once again and put him on unpaid administrative leave.

On Monday, the judge said he was “crystal clear” in his February ruling and proposed the attorneys for Halderman and the city come to a resolution on the logistics and details of Halderman’s reinstatement during a possible appeal and the trial currently set for November.

The judge also said the February ruling was final and can be appealed by the city if the city chooses to do that.

If the two parties can’t come to an agreement by March 18, the judge said the court will take any action it deems necessary.